Passenger vehicle heating system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle occupant compartment heating system includes a housing having an air inlet side and an air discharge side. A heat exchanger heated by engine cooling water, is mounted in the housing at the air inlet side. Electric heating coils powered by the vehicle current generator are mounted in the housing adjacent the heat exchanger and disposed between the heat exchanger and air discharge side. A blower with a fan is mounted in the housing for drawing air through the housing from the air inlet side to the air discharge side. A controller controls the operation of the electric heating coils to operate the heating coils to provide heat at least until the heat exchanger is heated by the engine coolant.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a heating system for the occupant compartment of a passenger motor vehicle and more particularly to a heating system that includes electric heating coils that cooperates with the heat exchanger heated by engine cooling water to provide heat quickly when the vehicle is started.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Heating systems in passenger cars require hot engine cooling water to heat the occupant compartment and provide the heat necessary for defrosting the windshield. In northern climates it often takes many minutes of running the engine to bring the engine cooling water to a temperature that even allows the water to be circulated.

[0003] There is a need to enhance the vehicle's heating system so that warm air can be obtained in the passenger occupant compartment immediately upon starting the engine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a heating system that delivers instant heat once the vehicle engine is started. The present also provides a heating system that assists the heat exchanger heated by engine cooling water in maintaining adequate occupant compartment heat.

[0005] More specifically, a vehicle occupant compartment heating system comprises a housing having an air inlet side and an air discharge side. A heat exchanger, typically a radiator heated by engine cooling water, is mounted in the housing at the air inlet side. Electric heating coils powered by the vehicle current generator are mounted in the housing adjacent the heat exchanger and disposed between the heat exchanger and air discharge side.

[0006] A blower with a fan is mounted in the housing for drawing air through the housing from the air inlet side to the air discharge side. A controller controls the operation of the electric heating coils to operate the heating coils to provide heat at least until the heat exchanger is heated by the engine cooling water.

[0007] In one embodiment, the housing is insulated and has a reflective heat shield therein to insulate the housing and contain the heat inside. The housing discharge side includes discharge conduits or ducts for distributing heated air to the vehicle occupant compartment, and also to a system for distributing heated air along a windshield of the vehicle.

[0008] The controller may be manually operable or automatic and may include one or more computer controls and or timers.

[0009] A method for quickly providing heat into a vehicle occupant compartment heated by a heat exchanger mounted in a housing having an air inlet side and an air discharge side and a blower with a fan mounted in the housing for drawing air through the housing from said air inlet side to said air discharge side, includes the step of:

[0010] mounting electric heating coils powered by the vehicle current generator in the housing adjacent the heat exchanger and disposed between the heat exchange and air discharge side; and

[0011] controlling the operation of the electric heating coils to provide heat at least until the heat exchanger is heated by the engine cooling water.

[0012] The step of controlling may include:

[0013] initializing the operation of the heating coils;

[0014] sensing heat exchanger temperature; and

[0015] terminating operation of the heating coils in response to a sensed preset heat exchange temperature.

[0016] The step of initializing may be manual and or automatic and may be initiated in response to vehicle engine starting.

[0017] These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the drawings:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a passenger vehicle occupant compartment heating system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the vehicle occupant compartment heating system; and

[0021]FIG. 3 is a functional flow chart illustrating the operation of a vehicle occupant compartment heating system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to the drawings in detail, numeral 10 generally indicates a vehicle occupant compartment heating system. As is hereinafter more fully described, the vehicle occupant compartment heating system 10 includes a controllable electric coil unit operating in combination with the heating system heat exchanger to provide instant heat in the vehicle occupant compartment to heat the interior of the vehicle while the engine liquid cooling water or other circulating fluid is still relatively cold.

[0023]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the vehicle occupant compartment heating system 10, which is mounted in a vehicle 12 preferably near the vehicle firewall or dashboard area. The vehicle occupant compartment heating system 10 includes an insulated housing or heater box 14 with a reflective heat shield 16 to contain the heat within the housing. The housing 14 has an air inlet side 18 and an air discharge side 20. A heat exchanger 22, a radiator heated by engine cooling water or coolant, is mounted in the housing 14 at the air inlet side 18 and connected by hoses 24 to the engine coolant circulating system as is known. Electric heating coils 26, powered by the vehicle current generator, not shown, are mounted in the housing 14 adjacent the heat exchanger 22 and disposed between the heat exchanger and air discharge side 20.

[0024] A blower 28 with a fan 30 is mounted in the housing 14 for drawing air through the housing from the air inlet side 18 to the air discharge side 20. A controller 32 controls the operation of the electric heating coils 26 to operate the heating coils to provide heat at least until the heat exchanger is heated by the circulating engine coolant.

[0025] The housing discharge side 20 includes discharge conduits or ducts 34 for distributing heated air to the vehicle occupant compartment 36, and also to a system for distributing heated air along a windshield of the vehicle.

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the vehicle occupant compartment heating system 10. Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated control of the heating system 10 wherein after the vehicle engine is started, block 50, a passenger, by adjusting the vehicle thermostatic controls, block 52, may energize the heating coils 26, block 54. If the passenger desires heat, she is able to immediately enjoy the benefits of heat provided by the heating coils 26 while the engine coolant is in the process of heating up. A temperature sensor in communication with the heat exchanger 22 senses the exchanger temperature, indicating coolant temperature, block 56.

[0027] After a preset temperature of the heat exchanger 22 is achieved, the heating coils 26 are de-energized. block 58, and subsequent heat supplied into the vehicle occupant compartment 36 is provided by the heat exchanger 22 alone. It is possible to use the heating system 10 to maintain engine temperature through continued operation of the heating coils 26.

[0028] A method for quickly providing heat into a vehicle occupant compartment heated by a heat exchanger mounted in a housing having an air inlet side and an air discharge side and a blower with a fan mounted in the housing for drawing air through the housing from the air inlet side to the air discharge side, includes the mounting electric heating coils powered by the vehicle current generator in the housing adjacent the heat exchanger and disposed between the heat exchange and air discharge side and controlling the operation of the electric heating coils to provide heat at least until the heat exchanger is heated by the engine cooling water or other coolant.

[0029] Controlling the operation may include initializing the operation of the heating coils, sensing heat exchanger temperature, and terminating operation of the heating coils in response to a sensed preset heat exchange temperature.

[0030] The step of initializing may be manual and or automatic and may be initiated in response to vehicle engine starting.

[0031] Although the invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle occupant compartment heating system comprising: a housing having an air inlet side and an air discharge side; a heat exchanger heated by engine cooling water mounted in said housing at said air inlet side; electric heating coils powered by the vehicle current generator mounted adjacent said heat exchanger between said heat exchanger and air discharge side; a blower with a fan mounted in said housing for drawing air through said housing from said air inlet side to said air discharge side; and a controller for controlling the operation of said electric heating coils to operate said heating coils to provide heat until said heat exchanger is heated by the engine cooling water.
 2. The heating system of claim 1 wherein said housing is insulated and has a reflective heat shield therein.
 3. The heating system of claim 1 wherein said heat exchanger is a radiator.
 4. The heating system of claim 1 wherein said housing discharge side includes discharge conduits for distributing heated air to the vehicle occupant compartment and along a windshield of the vehicle.
 5. The heating system of claim 1 wherein said controller is manually operable.
 6. The heating system of claim 1 wherein said controller is automatic.
 7. A method for quickly providing heat into a vehicle occupant compartment heated by a heat exchanger mounted in a housing having an air inlet side and an air discharge side and a blower with a fan mounted in said housing for drawing air through said housing from said air inlet side to said air discharge side, the method comprising the step of: mounting electric heating coils powered by the vehicle current generator in said housing adjacent said heat exchanger and disposed between said heat exchange and air discharge side; and controlling the operation of said electric heating coils to provide heat at least until said heat exchanger is heated by the engine cooling water.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of controlling includes: initializing the operation of the heating coils; sensing heat exchanger temperature; and terminating operation of the heating coils in response to a sensed preset heat exchange temperature.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of initializing is manual.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of initializing is automatic in response to vehicle engine starting. 